Dry Eye Treatment

​​​​​​​Contrary to it's name 'dry eye' may suggest, our eyes typically water MORE frequently when they are dry. This is our body’s response to try and wet the surface of the eye to make it more comfortable. Tear quality has a lot to do with our eye comfort. Quality, oily, tears don’t evaporate as quickly, keeping the eye lubricated longer. The Meibomian glands that create the oil layer of tears can be coaxed into working properly by applying warm compresses to increase blood supply to the glands, and massage to help the oil pass through the glands fluidly.
 
Common symptoms of dry eye include:

• Blurry vision, that may clear with blink

• Stinging, burning, scratching sensation

• Gritty/sandy eyes

• Red eyes

• Watery eyes

• Sensitivity to light

• Tired eyes or eye fatigue

• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

• Filmy vision

• Foreign body sensation

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Optometrists are able to check for dry eye disease using several quick and painless tests to measure ocular surface dryness and can provide patients with a number of treatment options that may include:

• Eye Drops & Omega-3 fatty acid nutritional supplements - increase healthy tear production

• Eye Drops/Ointments, Warm Compresses, Lid Massage & Eyelid Cleansers - decrease inflammation of the eyelids

• Punctal Plugs - conserve tears by blocking the tear ducts with small silicone plugs

A great start to increasing eye comfort is to blink regularly, increase the humidity in the air, wear glasses or sunglasses, and drink plenty of fluids.

Dry Eye Disease (DED) affects an estimated 50 million people in the United States, according to studies by the National Institute of Health in 2023. The prevalence increases each year due to a variety of factors that practitioners suggest could include increasing digital device usage, age, diet, autoimmune and systemic disease, and environmental conditions.

You don’t have to suffer from the symptoms of dry eye. Talk to your optometrist about dry eye treatment options designed to address the underlying cause of your condition.